In response,
BuzzFeed is threatening to withdraw its staffers who "are
scheduled to speak on or moderate a half-dozen panels at
SXSW 2016," according to a letter co-written by Ze Frank,
president of Buzzfeed Motion Pictures, Dao Nguyen,
Buzzfeed's publisher, and Ben Smith, the publication's
editor-in-chief.

It's unclear what SXSW's response is to the letter thus far; SXSW
Interactive reps didn't respond to our request for comment as of
publishing.

The letter from BuzzFeed points out a contention at the heart of
SXSW's action in canceling the two panels. "We were disturbed to
learn yesterday that you canceled two panels, including one on
harassment in gaming, in response to the sort of harassment the
panel sought to highlight," the letter says.

This is spot-on — canceling panels meant to discuss harassment
due to threats of violence is exactly what the panels intended to
combat. Despite this contradiction, the organizer of one of the
two canceled panels, Perry Jones, pleaded
for those on both sides of the discussion not to go
after SXSW management in light of the cancellation:

One final note to everyone, GamerGate, anti-GamerGate, and
everything in-between: Don’t attack SXSW for this. They did what
they felt was best for their team(s). They have a massive event
to plan that literally encompasses all of downtown Austin and
consists of 3 major festivals. The last thing they need is for
two panels (on a major topic) to absorb all of their time and
resources. I know all of you, on both sides, must be incredibly
upset that this has happened, but take our honest advice; Step
away from your computers/phones for a moment. Go outside and take
a breather, play a video game that calms your nerves, pet your
cat or dog, and spend some time thinking. Don’t let that anger
and unrest plant itself in you – it will only ripen into hatred
and lead you to say things you could someday regret. Let’s all be
calm and civil about this. Don’t flood SXSW’s inbox with “F---
you” emails. They have enough on their plate as it is.

The two canceled panels sought to discuss the gaming community
and harassment in said community, two topics that became
prominent and controversial last year in light of the "GamerGate"
movement. The topics remain flash points in the gaming world,
inspiring often passionate, sometimes vitriolic debate from both
sides of the discussion.

BuzzFeed's letter points out that the decision to pull out of
SXSW 2016 is far from final on its part. If SXSW were to
reinstate the panels it canceled amid threats of violence,
BuzzFeed says it would rejoin the festival.

"Fortunately, the conference is five months away. We are
confident that you can put in place appropriate security
precautions between now and then, and our security staff
would be happy to advise on those measures," the letter
says.